Unique images/CGs vs Sprites in a VN?

[hseeker123]

What are your thoughts on these different methods of delivering general dialog to the player in a VN? Obviously sprite-based games will still have CGs too, but there are some VNs where they pretty much only use CGs/unique images for every dialog, they do not use sprites. They are able to do this due to the CGs being generated by 3D software instead of having to pay an artist for every single image.

I've been thinking about these two approaches. On the one hand, using a series of images during dialog adds a lot more variety than sprites, even when some images are just slight adjustments (camera angle change, character pose or mouth changes a bit, etc.).

On the other hand, relying more on sprites allow the file size to be a lot smaller, allows scenes to feel a bit more 'dynamic' if you use transformations well (e.g. sprites moving, shaking, character highlighted when talking etc.) and allows for 'dolling' systems where you can recycle the same sprite but change the outfit. This means for example you can have an optional Extra mode where the player can create scenes by choosing the character, pose and outfit themselves.

There's of course the option to use both of these styles in the same game, but I feel like if you use too many CGs then incorporating sprites in other scenes will feel strange and out of place.

What do you guys prefer? Do you still like sprite-based approaches? Do you think 3D-based art should be used to make VNs that rely more heavily on CGs during dialogs?

 

[danarchist_lewd]

Well, there's

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(pixel art + 2D sprites, as well as 3D models for the map) and

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(3D models + 2D sprites) both of which have a unique look and incorporate different art techniques for different parts of the game. I think if you can find way to make the stylistic choices of the different art techniques on display match you can make it work.

As a dev you just need to be honest about what your resources are and make decisions that you are both capable of and that support the gameplay. I like any game that uses the tools at their disposal to create something engaging.

 

[Meaning Less]

3D Western adult VNs are highly wasteful in general, they usually have more non-sexual images than sexual ones for not making use of sprites/backgrounds.

When you require thousands of unique CGs to tell the same story you could with a fraction of that you get to a point where the few advantages don't outweight the many disadvantages that comes with it.

I'm aware some people love this comic-style approach but to me it feels wasteful for VNs and makes them even more limited.

 

[graceful byrd]

I feel like it comes down to knowing your priorities for weighing the matters. Sprites can still convey story very well and allow for a more efficient workflow imo leading to less development time instead of having to come up with new scene for every little part of the story. If your want quicker updates without sacrificing too much story, it's a good option.

On the other hand if you're looking for a more cinematic feel then individual unique images will give you that feel more than sprites ever could imo. The downside of this being that it could also take longer to develop and push out updates and as you mentioned file size.

You could of course just combine the two as someone else higher up said. An easy way of doing that would be sprites for story purposes, and unique images for h-scenes since most people care more for the porn than the story I'd imagine. I personally don't mind either approach that developers take so long as they do it well and it doesn't distract from the story/porn.

 

[desmosome]

I feel like it comes down to knowing your priorities for weighing the matters. Sprites can still convey story very well and allow for a more efficient workflow imo leading to less development time instead of having to come up with new scene for every little part of the story. If your want quicker updates without sacrificing too much story, it's a good option.

On the other hand if you're looking for a more cinematic feel then individual unique images will give you that feel more than sprites ever could imo. The downside of this being that it could also take longer to develop and push out updates and as you mentioned file size.

You could of course just combine the two as someone else higher up said. An easy way of doing that would be sprites for story purposes, and unique images for h-scenes since most people care more for the porn than the story I'd imagine. I personally don't mind either approach that developers take so long as they do it well and it doesn't distract from the story/porn.

It's already the standard for sprite based VNs to use full CGs in sex scenes. But you got it right that the full CG for everything method is much more cinematic.

It boils down to how much visual vs novel you want for your VN. I see merit in both types as long as the dev actually put some thought into it before deciding.

I'll just say that not many devs even manage to create a cinematic atmosphere because they lack the skills and/or rig for it. At some point, it's just not gonna be worth the tradeoff in render time. However, most devs also can't write for shit (which is more important for sprite based VNs), so ehhh.